Lambert gets the point now for Comets

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Sheila Lambert
has such an unshakable confidence in her ability to perform on a basketball court, she should be a perfect fit for any team. But Lambert's first outing with the Comets a month ago was hardly reassuring to coach
Van Chancellor
.

"The first time she played with us, she made seven turnovers in 11 minutes. I told her that was a new North American record, closing in on a new world record," Chancellor said.

All is forgiven.

In her third consecutive start Saturday night, Lambert played 26 minutes during the Comets' 69-66 overtime victory over San Antonio at the SBC Center and was near impeccable. She committed only one turnover and scored a season-high 13 points. Lambert throws her head back and laughs when reminded of Chancellor's comment.

"Hey, like I've said, the day I got here is the (first) day I played (for the Comets), you know," Lambert said. "I wasn't nervous, but then again, I hadn't practiced with anybody.

"Nobody knew if I was going to give them the ball, where I was going to be. I think that just goes with learning your teammates, getting in there and practicing and getting some repetitions."

Lambert was signed as a free agent on May 7, passed her physical examination that day and was in uniform that night for a preseason game.

But Lambert was not only a picture of precision on offense on Saturday, but she also played a big role in defending Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson, a 2004 Olympian, in going scoreless and passing out one assist in 11 minutes.

Chancellor's guards are frequently called upon to crash the boards. Lambert is willing, but she'd rather not do it.

Shortly after completing her eligibility at Baylor, Lambert was part of a college All-America squad that faced a team of WNBA players in the annual Women's Basketball Coaches Association game that precedes the NCAA Final Four.

While going for a rebound in the 2002 event, Lambert severely injured her right leg and, after being drafted by Charlotte in the first round of the WNBA draft, spent the entire summer on the injured list.

"Sometimes, I don't want to go in there (to rebound)," said Lambert, 23. "I broke my leg once. I don't want to do it anymore."